Free to think

The ‘Panama Papers’ leak has revealed some very interesting and juicy stories. From politicians’ undeclared offshore trusts, to a potential global network of money laundering and tax avoidance. But there is also a more mundane story we would do well to consider. One that doesn’t require any leaked information – the morally bankrupt practises of … More The wealthy leeches

Last Tuesday’s assault on Brussels demonstrates, once again, the extent of ISIS’s sinister capability. After a string of attacks around the world, and despite Europe on high-alert, the Jihadists evaded security agencies. The result: characteristic bloodshed and mayhem. ISIS’s operatives are capable, determined, and fanatically believe in their purpose. They are equally certain in the morality of … More Confronting Islamism

For only the second time in New Zealand’s history, the country is grappling with uniquely complex moral and philosophical issues. The debates are earnest. The stakes are just as important as last time. As you are no doubt aware, March 7 ushered in The Bachelor, season two. At its core, this momentous event explores questions … More Roses are red, journalism is dead

“Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me”. Once heard resonating around playgrounds, this childhood saying now faces extinction. After all, there was never any doubt that words can cause significant pain. The defiant schoolyard retort contains its own subtle admission of that fact. Attempting to contrast invisible verbal barbs from the severe … More The Thin Skins

Wildly popular in the 1930s/1940s, demagogue is a resurgent occupation, lately. The term demagogue has many different uses but, in the current climate, usually describes a political populist who is seeking to gain authority by exploiting the fears and prejudices of voters. This is the kind of politician who rarely describes their vision in terms of … More The Season for Demagogues

What is economic gain worth to us? Let’s put aside any potential debate, and assume for a minute that trade liberalisation does indeed benefit our country and contributes to our prosperity. What would we sacrifice for those gains? What are we willing to turn a blind eye to in the name of economic growth? If … More Trading away our values

Feminism is perhaps the most divisive and stigma laden F word in the English language. For some, feminism invokes a noble struggle for equality and is a movement for liberation and justice. For others, ‘feminist’ is an expression of contempt, conjuring up images of deranged shrieking women who spend their spite-filled waking hours railing against … More The F word

The forthcoming conclusion of the flag referendum will mark the end of one of the weariest and most dismal periods of national debate in recent times. The rhetoric surrounding the flag debate has been, on the whole, excruciating. Case in point, the RSA National President’s attempt to construct the flag referendum as a threat to our … More The problem with our national dialogue

It seems to be an instinctive aspect of human nature to distrust outsiders and anyone who doesn’t look like us. This probably made sense from an evolutionary point of view. When our ancient ancestors bumped into a group of strangers, conflict most often ensued. Humans learnt to trust people who looked similar and to be … More Overcome your evolutionary fear of immigration

Over the course of our living days most of us seek out autonomy and we find self-worth in the freedom to make our own choices. It is one of the hallmarks of life in a liberal democracy: for better or worse, generally, we get to decide how we will live, and what we will do … More Dying on our terms